sandbar

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 150 Posts hillsboro Stoked

Now that it is under water is it being built up or washed away? same?

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1859 Posts XTreme Poster

I was wondering the same thing. Perhaps monkeyboy can weigh in on this, as I believe he has hydrology skilz.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Last Sunday I tried touching down at many points around the sandbar and it was over 4' deep. My guess is it's eroding away which would be a bummer.

Nak · Sat Jun 04, 11 10:28 am

Hard to say. As a comparison, the sand bar/island at the East end of Rooster is submerged each year and exposed to current. It disappears when the river starts to rise with the winter rains and stays under till August or so. During the time it's submerged, it grows. When it's above water, the East winds scour it and it shrinks.

I'd love to hear Monkey's opinion on what's happening; he's the resident expert. I wouldn't get too worried yet though... At least that's my take. The HR sand bar has changed in favorable ways over the last few years, lets hope it continues to do so. `

97031 · Sat Jun 04, 11 11:06 am

The sandbar will likely see light scour loss on the surface and on the northernmost edge near the main channel during extreme high water in the Columbia. However, the size of debris material deposited in 2006 is generally larger than coarse sand (stones, rocks, etc.) and will serve as an anchor for the bulk of the delta.
The path of the Hood River is currently being pushed west at the confluence by the Columbia, rather than its normal north/northeast route. That will likely result in the loss of some topsand and a possibly a path on the southern end of the delta linking the Hood to the Basin/event site channel.

Here's a link to an extensive study done after the major debris flow in 2006:

http://www.pnwa.net/new/Meeting%20Information/2010_annual_meeting/MCELWEE.pdf

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

I have been teaching on the sandbar and can tell you that it is building in a few spots but mostly eroding.
It is building in a narrow strip downstream of the old log pile (only two logs left) and cutting a channel 4 feet deep just outside of that area. The channel is well over 100 yards wide and extends downstream to the cut in the center of the sandbar. There are boulders larger than bowling balls rolling down the channel. The hood river may run in this new channel this year, inside of the kiddy pool.

lekaks · Since 02 Apr 2008 151 Posts Hood River, OR Stoked

That was a great post 97031. Thanks for linking the report on the delta.

ridercentral · Since 20 May 2009 38 Posts PDX-Coast-Gorge

I'm not saying that digging the giant logs out of the sandbar is definitely a bad idea... The launch cleanups are for the most part a very good thing...

However, I believe that next time we should more closely consider how good of an idea it is to remove those natural anchors that have helped build the sandbar to the size that it is in the first place.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

My armchair observations: The best kiddie pool we ever had was the years following the last time the sandbar was underwater for this long. There was less sand then but more rideable area on the inside.

Also consider how much sand and silt there is still upstream in the Hood river, and how much of that will wash down with extra water flow.

All that said, who knows!

Nak · Mon Jun 06, 11 3:37 pm

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 150 Posts hillsboro Stoked

Nice report.

The 2006 delta expansion looks like it was due to rain in the mountains and erosion of the elliot glacier in a short time frame.

Seems like we have a similar situation as 1996 when both Hood river and Columbia river are at flood stage for longer period of time.

Does anyone remember if the sandbar was built up in 96?

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Well everybody has an opinion.
Base on my vast experience with groundwater flow (were talking sub-surface groundwater), I am willing to bet the the sandbar is building on the leaward side of the sandbar. I think it is growing towards the event site. Its any bodies guess as two how far down river and how high it will be, but my money is on movement, slowly but surly inching its way towards total domination of the event site.

STORMRIDER · Since 17 Jul 2007 229 Posts Stoked

from a position of not having a modicum of knowledge and irrefutable efficacy in expounding opinion and exstapolating bullshit I would put my money on the sand bar further encroaching on the event site, it was doing a good job of it before it disappeared the current conditions( punn intended) should proliferate the eventual total domination of the event site by sand bar....

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

wylieflyote · Wed Jun 22, 11 8:15 am

HRnico · Since 22 Mar 2008 262 Posts Da Hood Obsessed

Well's Island Resort. With direct access to WS swell. Ya Baby

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 150 Posts hillsboro Stoked

If you look at the slide "deposition high flow average sediment" it shows the sandbar getting flatter (lower) but more spread out, filling in event site and Nicholas boat basin.

It would be cool to have a sandy beach all the way to Wells Island.